My dear MIL taught third grade for 40 years. She made me promise that I wuld never give a mug or Christmas ornament to a teacher....she had boxes full of them. I think the card and money is a great idea. I gave a gift certificate to Borders (the book store) and the teacher loved it. Another idea is something practical like a home baked loaf of bread still warm or a platter of cookies with a tea towel. There are plenty of ideas.